NINE young Tongans who joined the first regional Pasifika Youth Development and Community Course have received their certificates and a diploma at their graduation in Suva, Fiji on April 23.

Named Ola Fou, meaning new life, the new course was an initiative fully funded by NZAid in partnership with organisations in the Pacific and Australia. It is aimed at supporting Pacific-based youth workers to develop their leadership skills and gain qualifications to work with young people in their communities.

The 15 month long course included in-country training before finishing off in Fiji and was facilitated by trainers from Praxis New Zealand, a private training establishment registered with the NZ Qualifications Authority.

'Anitelu Toatepi the Information and Communication Officer of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga, and the only Tongan graduate in the Diploma course, said the new course provided him with the right qualification to develop his skills as a youth advocate, particularly on how to connect with youth and lead community youth projects.

"I have learnt how to respond to youth needs through mentoring, coaching and counselling; and another major advantage is that the course is accredited to the NZQA," he said.

There were 35 students in the Certificate level and 11 in the Diploma level, coming from Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.

Tonga graduates for the Certificate level included Pamela Misinale and Talaivosa Tu'akalau of the Tonga National Youth Congress; Socinda Finau of the Vava'u Youth Congress; 'Akosita Latu of the Hunga Community Youth Group; Talanoa Tu'akineiafu and Loloma Faleta of the Ha'apai Youth Congress; 'Ofa Pakalani-Free Wesleyan Youth Department and Mausa Halahala of the Eua Youth Congress.

The new intake for the course is in August.